AN: So apparently this story needs to be told in 18 chapters, which is much longer than I could have anticipated but, I'm very happy with how it's turned out.
(Gibbs)
With a heavy sigh I open the front door to the house. Instantly I am greeted with something delicious smelling. Let it be known now that DiNozzo has many talents; his cooking announces its presence. I walk in and find him stirring something in a pot.
"Hey boss" he greets me, "everything okay?"
I take a seat on the table.
"Yeah why wouldn't it be?"
"You're late" he says.
"I can't be late DiNozzo?"
He gives me a look.
"Okay fine, don't tell me" he says mischievously, "I'll just guess and hopefully be delightedly surprised when my surprise birthday rolls around, unless of course I guess too highly and then you've just delivered a disappointment for my present."
Normally I would roll my eyes, but not this time.
"Hey Tony" I say, "Come take a seat, I need to talk to you."
He stops mid-action and I can see him contemplating every possible problem.
"What's wrong" he asks from where he's standing.
"Nothing's wrong" I tell him, "Just come sit down, will you?"
Cautiously he pulls a seat next to me.
"Gibbs?"
I run my hand through my hair.
"Abby wanted to surprise you" I start, "But, I figure certain things don't make for good surprises."
A raised eyebrow is all I'm going to get from him it seems.
"Dom and your father are staying with her until the party."
He looks down trying to absorb what he's hearing. Finally he nods his heads in acknowledgement that he heard me. Then, to my surprise, he gets up and walks back to his food.
"DiNozzo?"
"I don't want to talk about this right now Gibbs" he says tersely, "If he wants to come, fine, come. I don't care. It's just a stupid party."
A stupid party that he's been talking about for two months.
"Tony" I try again.
"No" he shouts and slams his fist into the counter, "I don't care! He wants to come, fine! That's his business."
He again turns his back to me.
"Hey" I say clippedly, "He doesn't have to come, its your call."
"Whatever" he screams, and throws his arms out, "I don't give a fuck!"
Only unfortunately he hits the pot with his hand and immediately is scalded.
"Ah shit!"
I jump up to see where he is cradling his hand. I go to reach for him but he jumps out of my space.
"Don't touch me!"
I stop. He's been having episodes or flashbacks that we've been working through. Just quick flashes of him thinking he's back in that cell, or in someway being attacked. At the moment I can't tell if this is one of them.
"Son of a bitch" he mutters and then takes the pot with of his hands and hurls it across the room contents spraying everywhere.
"Who the hell does he think he is" he screams, "He just comes down here? To stay with Abby? And Dom? What the hell? What the fucking hell? I don't get him, that son of a bitch!"
"DiNozzo" I shout, but not unkindly, "Hey, that needs to go under the faucet."
"No" he whines and slouches down onto the ground holding his worse off hand, "You can't just do that to people, you can't just torture them. Can't he call? I can't walk for two months but he can't even call, but no, he'll come all the way down to personally screw me in person. Son of a bitch!"
"Hey" I shout over him, "He doesn't have to come, this is your call."
"No it's not" he shouts back at me, "It's never my call. What the hell am I supposed to say to my family that I didn't let my old dying father to my birthday party? What the hell, fucking birthday party to begin with, who the hell does that? I stopped having birthday parties at eight."
I walk over gently and help raise him.
"Come on" I tell him, "Let's do this under the faucet."
He's not registering the pain, which is bad because that could mean shock. I stand behind him and push his hands under the running water. I could leave, but with the state he's in it's better if I just keep where I am.
"It's another mind fuck" he says miserably and leans against me, "That's my entire relationship with him, just one mind fuck after another. That's what this is. He's getting in his last cheap shot before he bites it."
"Uh huh" I say humoring him while evaluating the burns, it doesn't seem to be too bad, "So tell him no."
"I can't do that" he says dejectedly, "you don't get choices Gibbs. You just get stuck."
"You're not stuck" I tell him, "I'll tell your dad that he's not welcome in my home. Then you and he can have a quick chat on the porch and then after that, it's over."
He shaking a bit and I can feel the rage pumping through his arms.
"Son of a bitch" he mutters again, "He ruins everything, he just can't stay the fuck away. I have to, I have to go."
Suddenly he turns and I release my grip on him. The next thing I know he's out the door.
(DiNozzo)
After taking my ire out on the pavement for two miles I end up at St. Pat's. I walk into the dimly lit church and stand there taking it all in. As a kid, Aunt Louisa would always bring me to church on Sunday along with her family, my father didn't attend seeing as how he was mad with God. Anyhow, we always sat in the back because we were too fidgety. No that's not true, we were too annoying and loud and my aunt never wanted to be embarrassed in front of the priest. Well I'm not a kid anymore. I walk up and sit in the front pew on the right hand side of the church. Hmm, perhaps the back would have been best, it feels odd and strangely exposing all the way in the front. I look up and in the dim lighting I make out the statue of the virgin mother.
Like most other Catholics, I love Mary. Even former Catholics or agnostic Catholics always love Mary. However, Mary always meant something even more special to me because I had lost my mom early. I kind adopted Mary as my new mom. I used to pray to Mary and there was a time in my life when I truly felt close to her. I guess it's fitting that I am seated here again in my time of need.
"Alright Mary" I say to her in my head, "I know it's been a while and I know I haven't always been the best Catholic, but this religion is for the sinners, and God knows I've sinned, so here I am petitioning for your help. Here's the situation. My father and I, we don't get along, we've never gotten along, and I'm pretty sure that deep down when my father dies, I won't give a damn. I don't like the man."
It dawns on me that I should be kneeling so I pull the riser down and get on my knees.
"As I was saying, I don't like the man. I don't think that he likes me, but you know how us Sicilians are, la familgia and all that jazz. He wants to die knowing that his only son holds him in good graces. He wants to be able to meet my mom and say that while he fucked the rest of it up, he ended it the way it should have been ended. I don't think I owe him that. I don't think owe him anything."
I sigh and take a deep breath and look up at the statue and notice that even in marble she looks like she's listening.
"I know that your Son's big thing was forgiveness, and since you were His momma, I'm thinking that you might share some of His zeal for that. I know that I'm supposed to forgive him. I just don't think that I can. I'm too angry and I'm too hurt. He wants solace, and I want to give him hell. I've never once complained to you that my deck of cards weren't fair, not when Kate died, my mom died, not when Pete from Peoria died, not when Jenny died, not when I was arrested and almost killed, and not when I learned the truth behind all of it. But this, I don't know Mary, I think you're asking too much. You want me to let him off the hook when he would never do it for me. I don't think that's very fair within the logic of my life."
I look around the church and notice the great saints and of course, Jesus who forgave his killers.
"I ain't no saint" I say angrily in my head, "I'm not them, this isn't fair for someone, or you, to ask this of me. Okay, look, maybe I brought this on myself because I always prayed to you to help smooth things over with my dad. Fine, that's my bad. This isn't what I prayed for though. I prayed for my father to ask for my forgiveness as a kid when he didn't show up to a game, or a graduation, scratch that, any graduation. I would have given it then. I really would have, but now? When he was yelling at me I realized that it wasn't that he wanted me dead, or that he wanted the mafia to torture me, or anything like that. He just wanted to take me down a peg like always and he just didn't think it through. He was so blinded by his hatred for me, his son, that he was going to trade me to the mafia. He was so angry with me that he didn't even think it through to what that really means. I know that deep down, he doesn't want me killed, especially at his expense, but the fact that he can't see past his own anger for me to see his decision for what it was, I don't know. But does it matter? If you're walking in the park and a man stabs you in the back, you're dead. If you're walking in a park and a man trips and falls and stabs you in the back by accident you're dead too. Does the intention matter, or does the final result? Maybe my dad was just a victim to his situations, hell I don't know. I'm tired Mary. I'm really tired. You want me to do the right thing again? Well I have news for you, the right thing wears you down after a while. I have always tried to do the right thing and I need you acknowledge that. I can't do it anymore unless something gives. Okay Mary? You got to give me something to work with. Tell your Son that I need some help down here. Si Maria? I need to know that all my efforts are not in vain and someone somewhere appreciates the hell that man put me through, and appreciates the fact that I did something of worth and sacrifice by putting with him through all these years. Someone needs to give a damn about me for once, okay? I need someone to do right by me before I go and do that."
I sit back down and lean against the hard wooden pew. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. That man resented me my whole life and the only reason he wants to smooth things over now has nothing to do with me but more our culture. I feel tears prickling and anger starting to churn again in my gut. Suddenly the pew creaks and another body sits next to me. I don't open my eyes.
"Hey Gibbs" I say tiredly.
"How are you doing" he responds back.
I shrug.
"You know you didn't have to follow me out here" I tell him, "I've taken enough of your time."
A gentle tap on the head greets me.
"To be fair" Gibbs says quietly, "You had to accompany me to my daughter and wife's graves."
I open my eyes and give him a rueful smile. It's then that I notice that he has a manila folder in his hand.
"What's that" I ask him.
Gibbs does something decidedly un-Gibbs. He looks away, scratching his head, and looks downright embarrassed.
"I don't know how you're gonna-" he stops himself, "It's not supposed to depress-" he stops again, "I don't mean to be presumptuous, and I don't want to freak you out either-ah hell, just read it."
Curiosity outweighing concern I take out the papers. It's a copy of a will and testament. Allow me to clarify: Gibbs's last will and testament. I briefly scan it and it doesn't take long for to ascertain that he's leaving everything to me. Mostly everything, his wife's jewelry and other womanly things go to Abby, and a few things here and there for McGee, but the majority of it? Straight to a certain Anthony Michael DiNozzo, ladies and gentlemen that would be yours truly. There's also a letter addressed to me.
Tony, it starts, and it's almost too much, and I have to wipe my eyes to refocus my vision because I think I'm crying.
Tony,
As I am sure you are now aware I have left you the majority of my possessions. I'm not a man of words, and I am always confident that you understand me, but here it is nonetheless. I consider you to be my son.
I can't read anymore after that because I think the strangling sound that is now echoing in the church just came from me. I try again.
I consider you to be my son. When I first met you and took you on it was because you were a challenge and you had bested me in Baltimore. Originally, I just wanted to smack that damn cheeky grin off your face, and the more I got to know you, the more I wanted to smack you. However, the longer we worked together I came to consider you a close friend and confidant. You have been there for me when no one else was and if not for you my depression would have won that battle years ago.
The truth of the matter is, is that when Kate died it hurt something awful and it stings to this day. However, it if had been you it would have destroyed me. I respect you in so many ways and I need you to know that. I also need you to know that I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. I have such tremendous respect for your loyalty and convictions and I need you to know that I acknowledge what it has cost you.
You have every skill set necessary to lead and investigate or to do whatever the hell it is that you decide to do. I hope that by leaving you with my estate it will be able to help secure your future, perhaps even start that private investigation business I know you once dreamed about or that Ferrari. Whatever it is, use the money for something that makes you happy. I'll kick you ass from above you don't.
Attached is a contact sheet of emergency numbers if you ever need anything. Call anyone of the listed people and tell them that you're Leroy's son and they'll take care of you, this I promise you.
The only thing I would encourage you to consider is to have kids. You don't know what you're missing and you'd make a great father. Also, settle down with a nice girl. Don't be afraid that once she gets to know you she'll leave-give yourself the credit you deserve.
And one last thing-never let anyone ever tell you or convince you that you are worthless. You are always my most prized.
I love you son.
Gibbs
And that's it folks, my vision is shit, and what the hell Gibbs, I would never make you cry this hard. And all of a sudden I don't give a fuck where I am or how much I'm bawling, I dive straight first for the man. He gives a startled grunt, but quickly wraps his arms back around me. Damn, the man is strong, but I don't care. It's warm all of a sudden, and that empty pit in my stomach is filling. I'm so emotional that I can't talk, but I'm figuring that he's going to get that. I'm vaguely aware of the man petting my hair down like an emotionally driven child, but I don't care, it's comforting and it's so comforting in fact that I can't be bothered to be humiliated.
"Damn it Gibbs" I say as best I can. My face is buried in his neck and I can barely breathe but I can't bring myself to move. I bang my fist against his chest, damn him, just damn it all.
Gibbs on his part is still doing that petting hair thing, and I don't know what the hell I'm doing anymore, so I just keep sobbing my heart out.
Alright Mary, well played. Va bene. You win this round. I'll talk to the man, but no promises.
(Gibbs)
"This movie better be good DiNozzo" I bark out although secretly I've already seen it, but I won't break his heart telling him that.
I place the popcorn on the table
"It's great" he responds offended, "Would I pick out a bad movie?"
I give him a face and sit down next to him. He's fingering the remote, which only means he has something to say.
"Spit it out already."
"Alright" he says, "I want my dad to come tomorrow."
I nod. "Any particular reason why you came to this decision?"
"Yeah" he says quietly turning so he can look at me, "It's the right thing. I'll give him his happy ending. Tomorrow I'll be good, and he can die knowing that his son doesn't hate him. I wanted nothing growing up and I have to appreciate that. At the end of the day, we're still blood and that comes with certain obligations. I can't screw him like he did me. I won't do that, it's not who I am. I know what it feels like when he didn't give a crap about me, and I know how much that stings. We don't have a relationship today and that's his fault, he's the heavy on that, but I won't do what he did to me. I'm not him."
I smile despite myself.
"You ready to see him?"
He looks down but quickly meets my eyes.
"I will be tomorrow."
"He's not sorry Tony" I tell him, and I'm only prodding because I need him to realize that his father is not going to be easy tomorrow, and I need him prepared for that.
To DiNozzo's credit he doesn't even blink, "It's not about him anymore" he tells me, "It's about me doing the right thing because it's the right thing. He's my father and he's dying. That's it, end of story. "
"Okay" I say giving my consent, "Well don't forget, you won't be alone."
Tony smiles at me and scratches his head, "Yeah I've got great friends. Hell man, I've got excellent friends that care enough about me to put up Dom and my father for two days in her apartment."
That image leaves me laughing.
"When I visited there was crashing in the apartment."
Tony laughs heartily.
"That's what you get when you meddle."
(Gibbs)
So the party is going well, of course that's probably because Abby and company have yet to make an appearance. Some other family members decided to make the trip down and are now here and surprisingly everyone seems to be relaxed and getting along. Of course then it is a barbeque so people are supposed to be relaxed but I'm prepared to overlook that.
DiNozzo seems okay. In the beginning it was just him, me, and then some other work people that he plays basketball with when he gets a chance. They're not close enough to be invited to come to this but everyone was real worried about him so they came. He seemed on edge with them, but when Carmine, James, and Christian bounced in cursing at each other and yelling for whatever the reason it settled him somewhat. Then Monica and Simona popped in, and since they are women they easily were able to include all groups, family and work together in a good conversation that everyone now seems to be enjoying. Ziva and McGee arrived shortly thereafter and have been helping considerably with the cooking.
"Hey asshole" I hear from the front door.
And here we go.
I walk over and see Dominic screaming for Tony. Abby and Peter are standing there quietly.
"Hey Dominic" I say, "Everyone's out back."
"Hey man" he replies back easily, "We brought wine and cannoli's."
I stick my hand out for Peter.
"Nice to see you again sir" I respond.
That small gesture seems to knock him off his game. He recovers and shakes my hand and I realize that he just might be as nervous as his son. Well, perhaps that is a stretch.
"Where's the cum-dumpster" Dominic asks, and I can't help but wince at the language. I mean I realize that I don't have the cleanest vocabulary but it's as if he goes out of his way to find the most repulsive imagery as possible.
"Out back" I respond.
Dominic rushes off but Peter is dead set in the hallway looking at me.
"I need to speak with you" he tells me.
"Peter" Abby says as if she chastising a child, "It's fine. Tony will just be happy that you here."
He brushes her off.
"I need a present to give my son."
Why is he looking at me?
"There's a mall down about that way."
He glares at me.
"I have no idea what he likes" he responds in a clipped manner as if he is offended that I expect him to know what his son interests are.
I settle for glaring.
"Please" he tries again, "I need something to give him. What did you get him, I know you must have gotten him something."
I breathe in deeply.
"It's from me" I respond.
"Please" he says again, "If I give him nothing, well, you just can't do that, especially in an Italian household, I didn't realize that this was his birthday party, please just let me take credit for it."
I breathe in more deeply. How could you not know it was his birthday party?
"I'm dying" he says again, "If you really cared for Anthony you'd want him to make up with his father before he died. Anthony and I don't have another opportunity, Mr. Gibbs."
Manipulative asshole.
"Fine" I say nodding my head, "But only because you're dying and this means something to Tony."
And fuck I don't care how crass that sounds. I spent a long time picking out my gift.
"Come with me" I tell him and he follows me into my office at home where I pull out an envelope.
"You got him a year's worth of dancing classes."
He looks disgusted.
"Hey" I bark out before I can stop myself, "You don't have to give it to him."
"No" he says immediately changing his expression, "This is very thoughtful. Thank you."
I nod my head again and we depart to the back where everyone is sitting and laughing. Tony eyes his father, gets up and leaves the group behind.
"Dad" he says, "So glad you could make it, how are you?"
DiNozzo's undercover skills never cease to amaze me, by all counts that sounded truly genuine.
"Anthony" his father says back, and hugs his son. It's an awkward embrace but it's a start and it's not the two of them trying to kill each other so I'm okay with that. Tony to his credit puts his arm around his father and brings him over to the group.
"Hey everyone, this is my father. Dad I don't think you've met everyone here, this is…"
I go back inside confident that DiNozzo has his head on straight to get through tonight. The doorbell rings and I go to greet whoever could possibly be left out. I open the door and…well…holy fucking shit. There are at least twenty Italians standing at the door, and most of them look over ninety.
"Signore Gibbs" Angelo DiNozzo greets, "Come sta."
I smile in return and look for someone that I recognize that can speak English.
"Ciao" I say back.
"Eh-hey" Angelo screams delightedly, "Si si ciao!"
The crowd seems to delight in my Italian 101. I also know grazie, capo, and my personal favorite, bastardo, I wonder what the crowd will do with bastardo. Angelo proceeds to welcome himself into my house followed by a parade of old people. I do not have enough food for all of these people. Hell, who are these people? Finally Nicholas and Paul and some other woman who is dressed like a prostitute come to the door.
"Hey man" Nicholas says, "Good to see you again."
Paul waves, "Yo, did you guys start eating yet? I'm starving."
"You're always starving" the woman replies and then sticks her hand out to greet me. Her fifteen bracelets on her wrist jingle, and adorning her hand are long red nails with diamonds, and rings.
"Ma'am" I greet her.
"Call me Dani" she says coyly. The woman's very ample breasts seem ready to pop out of her low red cut dress. In fact the whole dress seems about ready to pop off her and I thank God for the huge belt holding it all in.
"You're going to cheat right in front me" Paul cries, "Really?"
"I'm just saying hello! I can't say hello?"
"Oh shit" Nicholas screams, "That's it!'
He grabs me by the arms.
"Do you know what it's like to listen to the two of them for seven hours stuck in the car?"
"I told him we should have taken the parkway" Dani tells me, "Not my fault he knew a "shortcut""
"It was a shortcut" Paul screams indignantly.
"Do you know the definition of the word shortcut, dumbass?"
Nicholas' fingers squeeze deeper into my arm and he looks like some of the soldiers I pulled out of detention camps.
"I'm going to kill myself" he tells me, "I'm really going to do it."
Another woman comes up to greet us. And if I thought Dani was bad… The woman is dressed in electric green leggings, a sparkly silver shirt, and the highest heels on her boots that I've ever seen in my life.
"Oh you think your car was bad?" she screeches, "I had to make thirteen stops for the bathroom! I am never driving with them again! Next time you get the old people, they're too hot, they're too cold, they're not happy, you can't please them! No matter what you do there is always a problem. I almost pulled the damn car over and called immigration to take them away."
"They're American citizens" Nicholas says, "Immigration can't take them away."
"Oh please" she responds, "By the time they would have found that out I could have escaped! And you son of a bitch you told me that they spoke English!"
Nicholas keeps staring into my eyes and I think I might be contemplating considering to put him on suicide watch.
"They speak English Frannie!"
"Not a word, not one word!" she screams back.
Meanwhile, Dani and Paul make their way into the house pushing me and Nicholas aside.
"Where's the food" I hear Paul asking.
"You don't need the damn food Paulie" Dani retorts, "You've had enough to eat for a lifetime!"
"I'm starving!"
"You just ate!"
"That was an hour ago!"
Nicholas takes a deep breath, and releases me facing this other woman.
"Frannie" he says, "Your last name is Colombo! You don't speak any Italian? How can you not know any words?"
"I'm sorry my family is educated!"
She marches off into the house probably in pursuit of food.
"That's my fiancé" he tells me dejectedly, "Francine Colombo who doesn't speak a word of Italian. I probably should have taken the old people car, or one of them, but I couldn't. You don't know what they're like, all they do is complain, all the time. They don't stop."
"Nicholas" I say, "Take this from someone who has three ex-wives, never give the fiancé the crap jobs before the marriage. You're supposed to be giving the illusion that you're a catch, you're supposed to introduce them to the family until as late as possible."
That earns me a smile.
"Well it's not like it's my car was any better. Special Agent Gibbs, they fought the whole time. The entire time."
"I don't have enough food" I tell him, because I figure that someone should know that.
"Oh" he says thoughtfully, "That's going to be a problem."
"How big of a problem" I ask him.
He shrugs. "Eh, they'll get over it."
"Really?"
"No, I'm lying, it's probably going to be catastrophic. At Monica's wedding the restaurant ran out of antipasto so the old people rioted. They started stealing food from each other and grabbing for it…they all thought they were in the depression again and it was every man for himself. Police were called…it wasn't pretty agent Gibbs."
Okay. "I'm going to go call a caterer."
"That's an excellent idea" he says agreeing with me.
(McGee)
The party started out so well. We all were really enjoying ourselves. Tony's cousins are hysterical and we were all really having fun. Even when his father came, he remained silent and let Tony and his cousins take the floor for the stories, and I'm telling you, it was going really well. The people from our work were laughing and even able to contribute to the conversation after Simona, Connie, and Monica came. The women were very gracious and even laughed at our stories. Ducky came in soon after that and he was most content with being able to tell his stories to the three beauties. I can tell they were just humoring him, but I think it's sweet that they were so kind and engaging with him. Everyone seemed to be having an excellent time.
Then the next boatload came in. Then things became….interesting. Tony seemed shocked that most of the people that came were even alive, and seemed to be under the impression that they had been dead for years, but whatever. It would have been fine except for the fact that the majority of the people in the over eighty group didn't speak English. Truthfully it was only a problem when around dinner time they all sat down and didn't seem happy to be excluded from the conversation, so in turn they changed it into Italian. So now for the last hour we have all been sitting with these people speaking Italian and no one really knowing what they are saying. They keep pointing at me and other people so there is this continuous sense of fear that we are being talked about.
Tony on his part is handling this very well and seems resigned to the fact that there is nothing he can do about it. Dominic on the other hand I thought was going to loose it and left thirty minutes ago because he couldn't take it. Apparently they weren't saying the nicest things. Francine however seems to be the main topic of gossip and left the table sobbing forty minutes ago and has yet to return. She also doesn't speak Italian but you don't need to speak the language when people keep pointing at you, sneering, mimicking your walking and putting on makeup, and then adding "fanculo" in between every other word.
Nicholas on the other hand just started sobbing right there at the table. I have to say, Tony really is taking this in stride. I can't tell what Gibbs is feeling because he is using his stoic face that doesn't let anyone in, probably meaning he's ready to kill someone.
"So" Agent Miller says to no one in particular, "DiNozzo is an Italian name."
Tony just looks at him.
Luckily Francine returns with Dominic and they find their seats before that can of worms can be opened. Each are holding bottles of Jack Daniels. I pray to God that those aren't Gibbs' because then there will be hell to pay.
"Okay" Dominic says and cracks open his bottle, "You ready Fanny?"
Her mascara has completely run down her face and she looks like a monster extra for a tv set but seems to be with the program now. Everyone turns their attention to the two of them.
"First one to go the Emergency Room wins" he tells her. "Ready, set go!"
The two of them start chugging their bottles.
And finally an emotion from Gibbs. His jaw drops.
"Oh my god" Dani is screaming, "Stop that! You can't drink that much! Oh my God, someone do something! Oh my God, oh my fucking God, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! Paulie you dumb shit get up!"
The old people stop talking and glance over to see the massive alcohol consumption. Gibbs and Ziva jump to attention and go to remove the bottles from Dominic and Francine who are drinking like its water, but they find great resistance from both of them.
Gibbs manages to subdue Dominic but Ziva seems to be having a problem with Francine. Finally she resorts to banging the glass against the table thereby shattering it into a million pieces. Francine looks dead ahead and then passes out.
For a second no one moves or does anything except Tony who mutters "Of course."
Then there is a rush to get to her and help her. The problem is is that Dominic might be able to drink that much because he's 6'2 and had a huge build, but Francine is maybe 5'2 and incredibly thin.
Nicholas shoots down onto the ground holding his fiance's hand.
"You can't leave me! You can't leave me with these people!"
Gibbs pushes him away to better assist the situation and Ziva calls an ambulance. Ducky quickly goes to assist Francine, but I can tell his attention is split between her and studying Tony's family for their reactions. The truth of the matter is that everyone is kind of entranced with the entire spectacle. For a bunch of emergency professionals we are quite frozen at the moment.
"You killed her" Nicholas starts screaming pointing a finger at the old people, "You killed her! She can't handle this kind of insanity! She's not Sicilian!"
Someone from the old people section makes a joke and they are laughing, this in turn enrages Nicholas who picks up a knife and holds it to his neck.
"Oh must you be so melodramatic" Simona comments, "Would you please?"
"I'm not going back to New York without her!"
"Oh my God" Tony finally screams, "Someone save that girl because he cannot stay here!"
Ha, Tony's accent strikes again and with a vengeance. It's still weird to me to hear him speak like that, but somehow it is just so fitting.
"What the hell did I ever do to you" Nicky screams back.
"You're fucking retarded" Dominic says sloppily as he falls over onto the ground, "That's your problem."
"You're going to insult me while I'm trying to kill myself" Nicholas screams, "Really, that what's you're going to do? This family sucks!"
"Nicky" Peter screams, "Shut up!"
"Now look" an elder woman says who I don't recognize, "You see, this is the problem with these kids, so selfish. Who you think is going to have to clean up his dead body? If you're going to kill yourself at least bury the hole and then jump in."
"That's it" Nicky screams, "I'm doing it!"
"Then fucking do it already would you, I'm sick of hearing you" Dani says back, "Always complaining. The whole ride up here!"
Nicholas eyes' might actually burst out of his head.
"I complained" he screamed only now the knife is being waved around, "I complained?! Are you kidding me?"
"Nicky" Dominic says from the ground, "Dude, calm the fuck down."
"They killed my fiancé!"
Some other senior agent finally takes a stand and decides to intervene.
"Nicky" he says gently, "Why don't we sit down and talk about this okay?"
"Don't say my name" Nicholas screams, "That's what all the suicide people say to help and try and build a connection, we are not building a relationship!"
"Why do you know that" Tony asks from his seat, "Really man, why do you know that?"
"He's tried to kill himself five times in the last week" Dani offers.
"Really" Tony says deadpan, "And no one thought that maybe he has a problem?"
"His problem is withdrawal" Carmine offers.
"The fuck did you give me" Nicky screams, "This is all your fault."
"Oh my God" Tony says burying himself into his hands.
"Hey" Simona says while standing up, "Shut up, these are all cops, no one says a word" and then to the law enforcement group, "they are all under counsel."
"Oh my God" Agent Cadanstky cries out pointing a finger at Carmine, "That's where I know you from, I think I arrested you! I've been trying to place you all night! Hell, I'm not sure, but I think it was you! You were the guy that took out four cop cars, man that was legendary back in the day."
A huge smile lights up on Carmine's face, "Yeah man, I know you! You were the guy that tasered me, ha, man so legendary huh? How you doing?"
"Good good" Agent Cadanstky says while laughing, like its one big joke, "I don't know if you remember cause you were…well you know, not exactly sober-"
"I was fucking stoned out of my mind" Carmine interrupts him, "I swear I actually thought I was a pig with a cape just flying around."
Agent Cadantsky laughs, "Well you gave me some advice about my partner back in the day, you remember short red head?"
"Dude" Carmine responds, "I don't remember much from 2002."
"Hey" Nicholas screams, "I'm trying to kill myself here!"
"Eh you shut up" Carmine screams right back, "You see us talking here? You got no manners."
"Well anyhow" Candanstky continues, "You told me that I should stop just looking at her and get with her, and um, well I took you advice."
"Oh yeah? How'd it work out?"
"Getting married in two months."
"No fucking way! Dude, you got to invite me to the wedding, I'll come back down and stay with Tone."
I can't tell if Tony is crying, but I wouldn't blame him if he was.
The love fest between Cadanstky and Carmine is interrupted however as we hear the sirens from the ambulance. The paramedics come in, assess the situation and refuse to treat Francine when there is a man running around with a knife. In response to that Ducky and Gibbs carry Francine out to the ambulance in front of the house. In their absence, Louisa and Raymond come in.
"Hello" they say entering the backyard where we are all seated with huge boxes, "How is everyone?"
Nicky eyes the two of them carefully.
"Is that cake?"
"Of course" Louisa says.
"Chocolate mousse?" Nicky questions.
"Yeah the good kind" Raymond offers.
"Why are you guys so late?"
"We heard that there was catering and we decided to stop for real food."
I think that whimpering is coming from Tony but out of respect for him I'm not going to look and confirm it.
Nicky drops the knife and takes a seat. Well…that was interesting. Apparently suicide can wait until after cake.
"Anthony" Louisa says, "Aren't you going to get up and say hello, maybe introduce us?"
"Sure" he mutters, "Why not."
He gets up, but not before grabbing Dominic's somewhat empty Jack Daniels and taking a giant swig of his own.
"Everyone" he says, "This is my Aunt Louisa, and my Uncle Raymond, Aunt Louisa, Uncle Raymond, welcome to my own personal hell."